Evaluating the Potentials of Banana and Plantain Peels for Biofuel Production in Nigeria
F. I. Jumare *
Department of Microbiology, Sokoto State University, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
A. M. Magashi
Department of Microbiology, Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
A. B. Rabah
Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
A. M. Sokoto
Department of Microbiology, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
A. D. Ibrahim
Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
M. H. Usman
Department of Microbiology, Sokoto State University, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the potentials of banana and plantain peel as feedstock for biofuel production. The proximate and mineral composition of banana and plantain peel were determined using the AOAC method. Bacteria were isolated from dried banana and plantain peel using the standard microbiological method. The proximate composition of the two biomass showed a high concentration of carbohydrate content at 68.12 and 68.30% for banana and plantain peels. While a high amount of sodium (Na) at 119.17 and 106.67 mg/kg from banana and plantain peels. Three (3) bacterial genera were isolated namely Bacillus circulans, Bacillus brevis and Bacillus pumilu. This study showed the potential of banana and plantain peels biomass for the production of fermentable sugar which can be further fermented to biofuel.
Keywords: Mineral contents, proximate analysis, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus pumilus